Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 5 September 2012 at Kilham Hall commencing at 6.45 p.m.

IN ATTENDANCE: J Staniforth (Clerk to the Council), Councillor A Jones, D Holgate, D Hunston and H Wilson (DMBC Planning Officers) and 21 Members of the Public.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A member of the public explained that support was being sought from the parish council with regard to a petition to be submitted to DMBC for a safe crossing on Doncaster Road close to Valley Drive to assist children being escorted to and from school and residents generally to cross the road safely. It was explained that the crossing points that were in place were too narrow particularly for those with prams/pushchairs etc. Ward Councillor Y Woodcock was supporting the petition.

All other members of the public had attended to discuss issues pertaining to the planning application to build 83 houses on land bordering Doncaster Road and The Close. Residents requested sight of the plans as it was felt the presentation by Consultants on behalf of the Developer did not provide sufficient information and A4 size plans from the website were difficult to interpret. Planning Officers explained that a period of three months had been allocated for consideration of the application and therefore there was an adequate period to receive representations. A meeting had been arranged for a group of residents to meet with Planning Officers to view the plans the following day and that Planning Officers were willing to attend a separate meeting which allowed more time to consider the application. At the present time no representations had been received from any of the required consultees so it was difficult to make any particular observations at the present time and that it was more effective if individual responses based on material planning considerations were submitted. It was also explained that the plans may be subject to amendment and comments were awaited from both the Highways and Drainage Authorities.

A number of questions were raised relating to the general infrastructure, the effect on amenities including the local school, the removal of trees, the amount and type of affordable housing and the type of boundary fencing that would be provided. A query was raised in connection with an alleyway which was thought to belong to the landowner and not the Electricity authorities as denoted on the plans.

The Planning Officers in concluding agreed that a set of plans could be made available and that attendance at a subsequent meeting if required would be arranged.

Residents attending stated that the meeting had been helpful in raising points of concern.

1) APOLOGIES

The Clerk reported that apologies had been received from Councillor B Cheetham.

RESOLVED (1)

That the apologies be received and accepted.

2) DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS

Councillor Fussey declared an interest relating to Annexe B of the Code of Conduct in Item 11.

3) REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM

No representative of the police was in attendance. The Clerk reported the receipt of information relating to speed gun work for 30 hours including 6.5 hours in Branton had been carried out resulting in a total of 179 people being stopped, 29 of which were in Branton.

RESOLVED (2)

That the information be received and noted

4) REPORT FROM DMBC WARD COUNCILLORS AND UPDATE ON THE FLEXIBLE BUDGET

Councillor Jones referred to issues raised in the public participation section relating to the provision of affordable housing and that local councils were being asked to consider where development for both housing and commercial buildings should be located and information could be accessed via the Planning section of DMBC’s website. Details of previous requests for a one way system for access to Whiphill Top Lane were outlined and that only a weight restriction had been agreed. Members reported that parking on the grass verge opposite Branton Farm Nursery had reoccurred and that a Moxon’s coach had damaged bollards on the crossing point near to The Close when travelling through the village last Sunday morning. Councillor Jones agreed to follow up this matter.

With regard to the flexible budget it was explained that there was insufficient funding to provide for a speed display sign and that most of the funding had been expended on summer play schemes and the provision of skips.

RESOLVED (3)

a) That Councillor Jones is thanked for his attendance and the information provided.

b) That further consideration is given to identifying possible areas for development at the next meeting.

5) MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 4 JULY 2012

RESOLVED (4)

That the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting be agreed and signed by the Chairman.

6) CLERK’S REPORT ON ACTION ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A copy of the Clerk‘s report circulated with the agenda was considered and the following issues were raised:

a) The response from Inspector Cowling regarding the holding of PACT meetings in the Finningley Ward and that it was thought that Inspector Cowling had indicated this would be reviewed at the end of the year.

b) The Handyman had been provided with new safety boots at a cost of £39.99 and a second high visibility vest costing £3.91. All other clothing provided by the parish council previously was still in a satisfactory condition and did not need replacing at the present time.

c) The owner of the property on Chapel Lane had informed the Clerk that arrangements were in hand for a dropped kerb to be provided but this had not been undertaken to date.

d) Land on the corner of Brockholes Lane had been cleared.

e) The pavement on Valley Drive would be inspected along with others identified in September 2012.

RESOLVED (5)

a) That Inspector Cowling is contacted to enquire as to whether any review of the location of PACT meetings had been undertaken and if so what the outcome had been.

b) That all other information is received and duly noted.

7) SUPPORT FOR A SAFE CROSSING POINT ON DONCASTER ROAD

Consideration was given to the request from a resident regarding support for the petition to be submitted to DMBC for a safe crossing point on Doncaster Road. Councillor Sidebottom raised the issues of the need for the safety of both children and adults when crossing the road and that speeding traffic exacerbated the current problems including the number of heavy good vehicles accessing local quarries and farm vehicles. The route was also a main road to the airport and to The Hayfield School. It was felt the current traffic islands created confusion as these were too small.

RESOLVED (6)

That the parish council unanimously support the provision of a safe crossing point and that the Clerk notifies DMBC of the reasons for this.

8) PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FORK JUNCTION AT WHIPHILL TOP LANE

Proposals for changes to the junction that had been circulated previously were discussed including the relocation of the village plinth to the right hand side of the road when entering Branton from Auckley at no cost to the parish council. It was noted that the speed display sign had been removed in preparation and that it was hoped to carry out the work this year following consultation.

RESOLVED (7)

That the proposal is agreed and that DMBC be requested to replace the speed display sign preferably with one denoting the actual travelling speed on completion of the work to the junction.

9) ISSUES RAISED BY THE PUBLIC

There were no other issues raised by the public.

10) APPOINTMENT OF A KILHAM HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE

No nominations were received but a member indicated a willingness to serve in the future.

RESOLVED (8)

That the appointment of a representative be deferred to the next annual meeting in May 2013.

11) KILHAM HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Councillor Fussey reported that the bank balance was in excess of £14k. Re-painting was near to completion, the curtains had been dry cleaned, the damaged fascia board repaired and the annual insurance premium of £564 had recently been paid. A Halloween event similar to that of the previous year was being arranged, the hall would be used as a polling station again on 15 November. Fifteen people had attended the free health check day and a further session was being arranged. A date for a McMillan coffee morning was still to be determined.

RESOLVED (9)

That the information be noted.

12) RECREATION GROUND/GARDEN ISSUES

a) Autumn Maintenance

It was felt that the weed and feed treatment in the spring had been successful and that it would be beneficial to undertake this on a cyclical basis each spring.

b) Village Plinths

Discussion took place on the future requirements and that a supply of top soil and manure may be available for collection from Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

c) Servicing of Gardening Machinery

Quotations from Branton Farm Nursery, Doncaster Garden Machinery and K Tyas were considered. Branton Farm Nursery had provided a detailed specification at the lowest price of £130 including vat.

d) Perimeter Hedge

Due to footballs etc needing to be retrieved from the farmer’s field on occasions it was suggested that no reduction be made to the height of the hedge to the rear of the ball wall.

e) Provision of Picnic Tables

Discussion took place on providing picnic tables next to the play area.

f) Water Leak and Access to Stop Valves

A water leak had occurred and this had been repaired by the Caretaker of Kilham Hall as the plumber was unavailable at a cost of £35. The caretaker had suggested that it may be beneficial to replace the tiled area around the stop valves with an alternative cover for easier access.

g) Health and Safety Requirements

DMBC had advised that a sign should be placed on the highway when the handyman was working denoting this and some first aid items needed replacement.

RESOLVED (10)

a) That no autumn maintenance to the recreation field is undertaken but consideration is given to a spring weed and feed every two years.

b) That the handyman is asked to remove the summer bedding plants and replace the contents of the plinths with top soil and manure and spring bulbs are planted.

c) That Branton Farm Nursery is contracted to carry out a service of the garden machinery next January.

d) That DMBC are asked to retain the height of the hedge to the rear of the ball wall but that depth is reduced on both sides and the height to the side bordering the rear of houses on Whiphill Top Lane.

e) That examples and quotations of round wooden picnic tables are obtained from ‘rawgardens’.

f) That cost of repairing the water leak is agreed and a quotation for replacing the tiled cover is sought.

g) That a ‘People at Work’ sign and new first aid box costing up to £15 are purchased.

h) That the Handyman is asked to cut back the vegetation at the rear of the field adjacent to properties.

13) PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND UPDATE

The following new applications were considered;

12/01866/FUL

Jubilee Cottage,Doncaster Rd

a) Part 2 storey part 1 storey extension to side/rear following demolition of existing extension

No Further Comments

12/01902/TCON

12/02120/TCON

11 Warning Tongue Lane

b) Felling of 5 x Lawson Cypress trees between house and southern boundary and felling of five Lawson Cypress trees on left side of front garden

No Comments

12/01918/FUL Walton Lodge

316 Bawtry Road

c) Conversion of single storey garage to two storey extension to side to provide living accommodation

No Comments

12/01932/FUL

22 Warning Tongue Lane

d) Erection of detached bungalow on 0.12ha of land following demolition of garage (resubmission after withdrawal)

No Comments

12/02113/FULM

North of Doncaster Rd

e) Development comprising of 83 dwellings, including access, open space areas, landscaping and drainage |

Details of decisions reached since the last meeting were circulated for information including comments regarding the possible overbearing of a neighbouring property submitted in respect of Jubilee Cottage. The Chair and Vice-Chair had attended the informal hearing regarding the appeal for ‘Greenacres’ on Doncaster Road and that the applicants had provided details of noise protection to be used which was not challenged by DMBC.

RESOLVED (11)

a) That the Clerk formally thanks the DMBC Planning Officers for their attendance and seeks a date for a further meeting to be held on either 17, 24 or 31 October 2012 at 6.30 p.m..

b) That consideration of the application relating to the new development is deferred to the next meeting.

c) That there are no comments or objections in respect of any other applications considered.

14) HIGHWAY MATTERS

The following issues were raised: Tidying of land on Whiphill Top Lane opposite the Rose Garden, conifers overgrowing the snickett to the rear of Langton Gardens and cleansing of Brockholes Lane and Oakwood Drive

RESOLVED (12)

That the Clerk notifies the relevant DMBC departments of the highway issues identified.

15) WEBSITE ISSUES

The Clerk reported that the website had been updated with all the relevant information recently but that the quotation requested for the work to upload Members’ Register of Interest forms was still awaited.

RESOLVED (13)

That the arrangements for uploading the Register of Interest forms be deferred to the next meeting.

16) ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING

Consideration was given to the layout of tables /chair following the review of the previous year’s event.

RESOLVED (14)

a) That Councillor Sidebottom is asked to determine the arrangements for the layout of chairs/tables and this is finalised at the next meeting.

b) That the Clerk notifies the local school of the event to request the attendance of the children.

17) CONSIDERATION OF PARISH BOUNDARY CHANGES

RESOLVED (15)

That the item be deferred for consideration at the next meeting.

18) CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS

Consideration was given to the following items:

a) Creation of legislation relating to payment methods

b) Local Development Framework Sites and Policies Development Plan

c) Health and Well Being Strategy 2013-16

RESOLVED (16)

a) That the Clerk submits comments supporting changes to payment methods but that payments continue to be authorised by two members.

b) That other documents be received and noted.

19) FIRST QUARTER BANK RECONCILIATION

Consideration was given to the reconciliation which denoted a bank balance of £29,695.89 as at 30 June 2012.

RESOLVED (17)

That the reconciliation be received and duly noted.

20) REPORT FROM THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS FOR 2011/12

RESOLVED (18)

a) That the report circulated with the agenda denoting the satisfactory report be received and noted.